braydonosu
Member
What is the rule of thumb for how deep a tank can be with t5's? I'm starting to plan out a 200+ gal system and I'd like to use T5's (Cheaper, cooler temp). How tall would be too tall? (24", 30".....)
Tank depth and Lights
- Thread starter braydonosu
- Start date
J
jetskiking
Guest
I wouldn't say there is a rule of thumb. Depends on the bulbs, ballast,reflectors etc. I have seen some really large tanks around 4ft deep using t-5's.
wangotango
Active Member
With an ATI Powermodule you'd be safe with 30" but it's a lot of coin to spend...
-Justin
-Justin
braydonosu
Member
Hopefully it'll be an sps dominated mixed reef. It's a few years off, maybe by that time I'll have to coin to shell out for halides and a chiller. Right now it's looking like a 66" L x 30" W x 24" H (although it changes on a weekly basis) I really want it to be a peninsula tank.
J
jetskiking
Guest
Originally Posted by salt210
http:///forum/post/3122568
if I am remembering right I believe the maximum recommended depth for T5's is 24", so you might be alright.
Really, and where did you find that. Like I stated before I have seen very large SPS tanks lit with T5's far deeper than 24". There really are no rules of thumb when it comes to lighting. It depends on the bulbs, refelectors, ballasts etc. Your best bet is to find someone with a similar tank size running t-5's then emmulate their system.
http:///forum/post/3122568
if I am remembering right I believe the maximum recommended depth for T5's is 24", so you might be alright.
Really, and where did you find that. Like I stated before I have seen very large SPS tanks lit with T5's far deeper than 24". There really are no rules of thumb when it comes to lighting. It depends on the bulbs, refelectors, ballasts etc. Your best bet is to find someone with a similar tank size running t-5's then emmulate their system.
salt210
Active Member
Originally Posted by jetskiking
http:///forum/post/3122621
Really, and where did you find that. Like I stated before I have seen very large SPS tanks lit with T5's far deeper than 24". There really are no rules of thumb when it comes to lighting. It depends on the bulbs, refelectors, ballasts etc. Your best bet is to find someone with a similar tank size running t-5's then emmulate their system.
I dont want to argue with you here, but as I stated above its recommended not has to be less than.
http:///forum/post/3122621
Really, and where did you find that. Like I stated before I have seen very large SPS tanks lit with T5's far deeper than 24". There really are no rules of thumb when it comes to lighting. It depends on the bulbs, refelectors, ballasts etc. Your best bet is to find someone with a similar tank size running t-5's then emmulate their system.
I dont want to argue with you here, but as I stated above its recommended not has to be less than.
nigerbang
Active Member
Ive seen sites that say no more than 18" , some that say 24" and some say deeper.. I dont believe any of it is an exact science.. It all goes back to how they are setup... If you are using some cheap fixture with a cheap ballast and cheap bulbs, dont expect to much as far as punching light into the water.. If you use better bulbs and a real good ballast you are going to be able to use them on a deeper tank with no issues..
I have seen 36" SPS tanks with nothing else other than T5's tht put most peoples tanks to shame..
So some might reccomend 24" at max but it depends on the other varibles..
I have seen 36" SPS tanks with nothing else other than T5's tht put most peoples tanks to shame..
So some might reccomend 24" at max but it depends on the other varibles..
J
jetskiking
Guest
What I'm getting at there are alot of variables especially when it comes to t-5's. Rules of thumb are a bad idea. If you are going to keep SPS with T-5's I would do as much research as possible on bulbs, spectrum, par, ballast, reflectors and stuff like overdriving as possible.
The evidence I have seen sudgest that with the right equipment and overdriving t-5's can penetrate as deep and deeper than halides. For instance I have a 24' deep 120 with a 2x250 hqi setup. My average par is just under 300 at my sandbed. Another friend of mine has a 150 with the same demensions just deeper that is running a t-5 setup. Our wattages are almost equivelent (his is actually a little lower) and he averages around 400 in a deeper tank.
The evidence I have seen sudgest that with the right equipment and overdriving t-5's can penetrate as deep and deeper than halides. For instance I have a 24' deep 120 with a 2x250 hqi setup. My average par is just under 300 at my sandbed. Another friend of mine has a 150 with the same demensions just deeper that is running a t-5 setup. Our wattages are almost equivelent (his is actually a little lower) and he averages around 400 in a deeper tank.